A court in Kazakhstan's capital has concluded the trial of an organized criminal group accused of running a financial pyramid and fraud. More than 100 citizens fell victim to the scheme, according to infohub.kz.
The investigation found that the group consisted of over ten members, each with a strictly defined role. They persuaded citizens to take out auto loans, promising rewards of 1 to 2 million tenge and full repayment of the debt.
"Group members, under the pretext of paying a cash reward of 1 to 2 million tenge, persuaded citizens to take out auto loans, promising to repay the loan obligations themselves. The obtained cars were illegally sold, including being exported outside the Republic of Kazakhstan," the prosecutor's office said.
According to case materials, more than 100 people were recognized as victims. In total, 165 cars were obtained through the fraudulent scheme.
The court found the defendants guilty of creating and leading an organized criminal group, creating and leading a financial pyramid, and fraud. They were sentenced to prison terms ranging from five to eight years.
Civil lawsuits filed by the victims have been satisfied. The verdict has not yet entered into legal force.
Earlier, Kursiv reported that the National Security Committee confirmed a pre-trial investigation after information emerged about the detention of Aliya Makayeva, deputy head of the Migration Service Department of the Astana Police Department. According to reports circulating on social media, she is suspected of participating in an organized criminal group and organizing illegal migration. The security service did not disclose details of the case, citing Article 201 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Kazakhstan.